Inhalative Treatment of Laryngitis Sicca in Patients with Sjögren’s Syndrome—A Pilot Study

Abstract

Xerostomia and keratoconjunctivitis sicca are the main symptoms of Sjögren’s syndrome. Often patients also suffer from laryngeal complaints, but there is a lack of specific treatment options. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a liposomal inhalation therapy. Patients with Sjögren’s syndrome were included and received a two-month period of liposomal inhalation therapy. The effect was evaluated by standardized questionnaires (patient-reported indices) and measurement of unstimulated whole salivary flow and glandular stiffness. Forty-five patients were included in this study. A comparison of baseline and therapeutic values demonstrated a significant improvement of the EULAR Sjögren’s syndrome patient reported index (ESSPRI) with a baseline of 5.0 ± 2.1 and a therapeutic value of 4.1 ± 2.4 (p = 0.012). This improvement was mainly based on the item on dryness within this score. Overall, the therapy was well tolerated. In conclusion, an inhalative application of liposomes had a beneficial effect on the reported dryness in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome. A first insight into the effect of inhalation therapy on laryngeal symptoms could thus be obtained and at the same time the basis was created on which case calculations can be carried out in the future.

Point Shear Wave Elastography in Diagnosis and Follow-Up of Salivary Gland Affection after Head and Neck Cancer Treatment

“…In order to assess the capability of pSWE to monitor the outcome of therapy, a local liposomal agent (LipoSaliva ® , Optima Pharmaceutical GmbH, Wang, Germany) was applied to reduce cancer treatment-related side effects. A substantial improvement of clinical endpoints such as taste and smell through LipoSaliva ® has been shown before in a similar setting [ 9 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. However, no objective testing is established yet that reliably quantifies the glandular destruction and monitors potential glandular restoration.…”